Free The Dating Tutor by Melissa Frost Page A

yet she wanted him to know how much she valued the friendship that had sprung up so easily between them. “I’m really glad you chose me, Jake. I’ve gotten to know you over the course of our fake relationship, and you’ve become a true friend.”
    She expected him to grumble at her statement, so his heartfelt reply surprised her. “I don’t have any true friends besides you.” His words were a soft admission. “All the drinking buddies and party hoppers…they like the reputation I have, not the person behind it. If they knew the real me…”
    He made a sound of frustration low in his throat. “I’m not naïve enough to think they’d accept me with open arms. It would be over. The parties. The popularity. All of it. I would be a pariah.” He let out a sigh. “Am I a coward for living a lie?”
    She had smiled at his initial confession of her being his only true friend, but her mood became solemn at the grim words that followed. “There is nothing wrong with not wanting to shout your most private secrets from the school’s rooftop. My secret is far less heavy than yours, and I can’t find the nerve to come clean. I’m terrified of what Alec might say. I don’t blame you for holding on to the peace and normalcy for a little while longer.”
    “Good. I’d hate to lose the respect of the only friend I’ve got.”
    “You won’t,” she assured. “Now get to bed.” Before they’d started discussing Ian, Jake had told her how tired he was, and she knew he had an Economics test first thing in the morning. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    “See you tomorrow, Ellie.”
    She smiled and disconnected. Jake really was a sweet guy. It was a shame no one else had bothered to see past the superficial stuff to the kindhearted person beneath. He shouldn’t feel the need to have to hide who he truly was. He was an amazing person who shouldn’t be ashamed of himself or his choices in life. Still, she understood why he was keeping quiet. High school was hard enough without adding complications.
    Plugging her phone into its charger for the night, she climbed into bed with a yawn. It had been a busy couple of days, and she was grateful to see the week wrapping up. Tomorrow was Friday, and she and Jake had plans to watch a movie at her house. It was a setting possibly visible to Alec, but it was away from the rest of the student body. Jake had admitted to being tired of putting on a show for the rest of the school. This weekend, he just wanted to hang out with her and enjoy himself. She wanted that, too.
    Stretching her arms above her head, she gave another tired yawn before curling up on her side. Forcing all thoughts of exams and gym class from her mind, she willed herself to fall asleep.
    After a few minutes, it started to work, but then her bedroom window slid open and a breeze swept over her exposed shoulder. She didn’t need to turn to know it was Alec. Wordlessly, she shifted in the bed to make room for him.
    He scooted underneath the blankets to lie next to her and gave a shiver.  It was spring and the nights still got chilly…especially when one ran through the yard in nothing but boxers and a t-shirt.
    Ellie held her silence, listening to him settle in. She smiled as she heard his teeth chatter together. Silly boy. He should have at least thrown a sweatshirt on before running out into the evening air. “Cold?” she finally asked.
    “Very.” With another shiver, he slid his hand toward her. “Feel.”
    His fingers suddenly brushed the back of her neck, sending an icy chill down her spine. A squeal escaped her before she could stamp it down. “Alec! You’re freezing. Stop that!”
    He laughed and scooted closer. “But you’re so warm! Come on. Be nice. I raced through the cold to get here.” His arm wrapped around her shoulder, and he hugged himself to her back.
    She inhaled sharply, but it wasn’t his shivering form that caused her to jump. It was the feel of his breath hot on the back of her neck,